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Toyota's redesigned 2014 Corolla aims for a more distinctive look than the current car, with a front end and headlights that borrow their angular looks from the recently-launched Camry sedan.
The 2014 Corolla, scheduled to reach U.S. showrooms this fall, will be a key to Toyota’s efforts to regain momentum and market share in the U.S. Toyota’s overall U.S. sales are up 5.2% for the first five months of 2013 compared with a year ago, but that is slower than the growth in the market overall, and Toyota’s market share has slid to 14.2% from 14.5% a year ago.
The Corolla unveiled Thursday is a foundation of Toyota’s global sales, and a pillar of its corporate image. During the 1970s, the Corolla helped to establish Toyota’s image in the U.S. and many other markets for building efficient, highly reliable cars. Toyota has sold some 40 million Corollas, and now boasts that it is the “best-selling car nameplate on the planet.” The Corolla has become to Toyota what the Beetle is to Volkswagen and the Model T was to Ford Motor Co.
However, since the modern Corolla was last redesigned for the 2008 model year, its rivals in the compact segment have come out with cars that have sportier looks, more comfort and entertainment features, and get better mileage. The current 2013 Corolla LE, with a dated four speed automatic transmission, is rated at 29 miles a gallon in combined city and highway driving. Honda Motor Co.’s Civic is rated at 32 mpg. The Ford Focus, with a six speed transmission, is rated at 31 mpg, and the Hyundai Motor Co. Elantra has a 32 mpg rating.
Read more http://www.marketwatch.com/story/toyota-shows-off-sporty-new-corolla-compact-2013-06-08
